Jack K. Paton was 90 years old and still going to work at J.K.B. Tire Co. Inc., which he started in 1980 in Export, Pa. The tire dealership's founder died Jan. 23, 2016.
Tim Renko, who has worked for Paton since 1984, says Paton "would come in with his cane, and come shuffling through the building." Paton retained ownership of the business, and Renko says there are two grandchildren who he expects to take over the mostly retail tire business.
When J.K.B. Tire opened in 1980 it was as a wholesaler, and in 1984 Paton built a new building and eventually transformed the business into a retail business, though Renko says, "We still have wholesale accounts we maintain."
Paton, of nearby Murrysville, was born June 17, 1925, in Sewickley, the son of John and Mary Paton. He was a longtime Murrysville resident, and founded the Murrysville Swim Club and was a founding member of the Murrysville Telephone Co.
He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Marines.
Paton was preceded in death by his wife Eve, who died in 2013, and a daughter Deborah Paton, who died Jan. 2, 2016.
He is survived by a daughter, Pamela Paton, of Palm Beach, Fla.; two grandchildren, Jamie (Greg) Schneider, of Gibsonia, Pa., and Jack Basilone (Kevin McClatchy) of Ligonier, Pa.; and two great-grandchildren, Paton and Ralston.
Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. Jan. 27, 2016, at the Hart Funeral Home Inc., Murrysville, with a service at 7 p.m. Interment will be private at the Murrysville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Disabled American Veterans in care of the funeral home. Click here to view the obituary.
